Deontay Wilder’s co-manager Shelly Finkel has reacted to the WBC champion winning a ballot to choose Anthony Joshua’s next opponent.
Wilder came first with 53% of almost half a million votes, beating Tyson Fury on 42% and Dillian Whyte on just 5%.
The poll was launched on Sunday, lasting until Tuesday and means fans want Joshua to do all he can to seal a fight with Wilder.
Finkel has disappointingly stated this is so far not the case.
“I have sent three separate emails to Barry saying that I have no desire to meet unless I have a real offer for Wilder to meet Joshua,” Finkel told Sky Sports.
“He and I have been in the business long enough to know what that offer would look like.”
On the recent poll, Finkel added: “Team Joshua does not care what fight the public that supports them wants.
“If they did, they would follow the poll they created to determine who the public wants Joshua to fight next. The public spoke and Joshua hid.
“Where is the new offer? Nowhere to be found.”
NEGOTIATIONS
In an exclusive interview with WBN before Joshua’s recent fight, an olive branch was extended to Eddie Hearn, which still stands.
“There was a letter (email) sent to him and his father Barry last Monday. It says very clearly what he needs to do to make a deal with us,” Finkel exclusively told World Boxing News.
“If your father wants to meet on October 6th or 7th in New York I’d be glad to. But it’s waste of time if we don’t have a real offer.
“If they really want to fight Deontay Wilder, respond to it will a real offer.” he added.
Joshua offered Wilder $15m in the previous contract over the summer, a figure the American initially accepted.
Even the TV situation was agreed, but the manner of the rematch clause was an upsetting factor. Wilder wanted a straight rematch clause if he lost his title, something Hearn wasn’t willing to give.
Hearn would only give Wilder a rematch if he defeated Joshua, even taking away a second fight if they drew the first.
It doesn’t seem a logical move. WBN understands if this was resolved and Hearn improved terms with a victory over Tyson Fury, the undisputed unification can happen in April.
As things stand, Hearn wants the fight agreed before Fury on December 1. This seems illogical and somewhat disrespectful for Wilder to do with a defense of his title already set.
Whyte, who gathered just under 25,000 votes from 480,000 plus, is the favorite to land the April Joshua spot.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
